Page 83 of Run Away With Me

‘No problem. It’ll be ninety dollars for the night, including tax.’

I counted out cash from my wallet and handed it over while she went to the wall and pulled down a key attached to a heavy wooden tag.

‘You’re in one-oh-six, which is right behind us here,’ she said. ‘You can leave the car where it is, or drive it around – there are parking spaces outside your block.’

‘Thank you.’

‘If you need anything, there will be someone at the desk all night. I’m here until midnight, then my son takes over until seven. Breakfast isn’t included, but there’s a diner right next door that opens at six.’

‘Sounds great. Thanks again.’

She nodded. ‘Sleep well.’

When I left the front desk, Brooke was waiting for me on the porch, leaning against one of the railings.

‘Come on,’ I told her, gently rubbing her arm as we walked back to the car.

I decided to drive around to our room, to get the car out of sight, just in case someone happened to come across us.

The motel was made up of maybe ten buildings. All of them were made of wood, thick planks and shiny wooden railings that glinted in the moonlight. Our room was on the first floor, and I gathered Brooke up to take her in before going back for the bags.

‘This is nice,’ she said as I unlocked the door and nudged her inside.

I agreed. The rustic theme continued in here, with a huge king bed on a wooden frame, paintings of the local landscape on the walls, and heavy plaid fabric curtains to block out the light.

‘Do you want a shower?’ I asked, hoping she wouldn’t take it the wrong way.

‘Yes,’ Brooke said emphatically.

‘Okay. I’m going to go get our stuff.’

She nodded and wandered into the bathroom.

I couldn’t get all the bags in fewer than two trips, but I managed to haul everything inside while Brooke was still in the shower, and then I locked and bolted the door behind myself.

Being out here made me feel safe enough that I finally relaxed. I wasn’t ready to process what we’d been through in the past few hours yet. I was pretty sure that would lead to a very inelegant breakdown, and I was too tired for that right now. I had to be strong for Brooke, to be what she needed me to be, instead of losing my shit and her having to take care of me.

I grabbed Brooke’s toiletries bag out of her backpack and knocked lightly on the bathroom door.

‘Brooke? I’ve got your toothbrush and stuff.’

‘Thanks,’ she called back, and I left it on the vanity for her.

I hoped the shower would help shake her out of whatever she’d been drugged with, but realistically it would probably take until morning until she felt better. After another minute, the water shut off and I heard her brushing her teeth.

She came out wrapped in a huge, fluffy white towel, and I quickly grabbed my own stuff to go get changed.

I couldn’t let myself think about Brooke kissing me. She was clearly both deeply traumatized and drugged to the gills, and I didn’t want to take advantage.

When I finished in the bathroom, Brooke was in her pajamas, braiding her long hair.

‘Are you okay?’ I asked tentatively.

‘I’m so tired, Mouse,’ she said, her voice slurring, and I couldn’t be mad at her for using my old nickname.

I ushered her into bed and shut off all the lights except the two lamps on the nightstands. Brooke took the side farthest from the door, and I let her, guessing that’s where she needed to be to feel safe. She curled up in a ball facing away from me.

I got into bed next to her, letting the cool cotton sheets slide over my bare legs. I flipped the switch next to the bed and the room fell into darkness.